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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, who died at the age of 79.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President described the late diplomat as a ‘trailblazer who rose to the highest level of her vocation through excellence and hard work.’

Ambassador Ogwu, who served as Nigeria’s envoy to the United Nations from May 2008 to May 2017, was a distinguished scholar and seasoned diplomat.

She also served as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s foreign policy and advancing international relations scholarship.

A two-time President of the UN Security Council-first in July 2010 and later in October 2011-Ambassador Ogwu was widely respected for her clarity of purpose, advocacy for disarmament, and commitment to global peace, international security, and the advancement of women’s rights.

President Tinubu praised her legacy of service and dedication, noting that she ‘projected Nigeria’s voice with clarity and purpose and worked tirelessly for the good of humanity.’

The President extended his condolences to Ambassador Ogwu’s family, including her five children, grandchildren, siblings, as well as members of the diplomatic and academic communities mourning her loss.

He prayed for the repose of her soul and for divine comfort for all who grieve the passing of the accomplished diplomat.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Atafuah, has announced that Nigeria and the UNDP have joined forces to launch a transformative initiative aimed at achieving the country’s Net Zero emissions target by 2060 and conserving 30 percent of its land and marine ecosystems by 2030.

Atafuah, represented by Chidimma Blessed, made the disclosure in Abuja at the launch of the Net Zero Nature Positive (NZNP) Project, a bold global initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNDP, and other national and international stakeholders.

She said the project represents more than a programme but a movement to accelerate climate action, nature restoration, and sustainable development in Nigeria.

‘Nigeria and the UNDP are united in their commitment to climate action and nature restoration. Climate change is already disrupting lives and livelihoods, biodiversity loss is accelerating, and vulnerable communities-especially in the Niger Delta-are bearing the heaviest burdens,’ she said.

According to Atafuah, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national agenda on climate change mitigation and adaptation, advancing the country’s Energy Transition Plan and revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

She assured that the project would work closely with the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa states to integrate net-zero and nature-positive strategies into their development plans, while empowering women’s cooperatives and youth networks to take leadership roles in the green transition.

Also speaking, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics and GEF Focal Point at the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Aneke Agnes Nkechi, described the launch as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a Net Zero and Nature Positive future.

She said the initiative would promote ecosystem restoration, expand access to clean energy, de-risk sustainable investments, and support the country’s commitments to achieving its NDCs and nature-positive goals by 2030.

Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, the biological father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, who was murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, in 2017, has revealed how he appealed to late President Muhammad Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pardon his daughter-in-law.

He made the revelations in a joint interview conducted in Abuja with Alhaji Garba Sanda, the father of Maryam.

In an unexpected turn of events, which underscores an exceptional demonstration of forgiveness and large-heartedness, he expressed his joy over the pardon of his daughter-in-law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He recalled how he had been on a quiet quest to secure freedom for Maryam, who had been on death row since her sentencing for the murder of her husband.

He said his motivation was purely humanitarian, and that he wanted his daughter-in-law released so she could look after her two young children, and that executing her would not bring back his son.

He explained that, as a devout Muslim, he had long accepted the tragic incident, which has been a subject of public discussion, choosing to forgive and leave judgment to Allah.

It has been revealed that Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa had previously written to both the then Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command in 2019, to seek clemency for Maryam Sanda.

Although those early appeals went unanswered, the recent pardon granted by President Tinubu under the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy finally brought his request to fruition.

He made the first plea for Sanda to be set free even before her conviction in January 2020.

He recalled writing to the Commissioner of Police on 17th January 2019, stating that he had forgiven whoever was responsible for his son’s death and appealing that the charge be withdrawn ‘so that my son’s soul could rest in peace according to Islamic injunction.’

He also swore an affidavit at the FCT High Court on 21st June 2019, reaffirming his forgiveness and pleading that the prosecution be withdrawn.

Also in his letter dated 16th December 2024, titled ‘Request for Exercise of Prerogative of Mercy for My Daughter-in-Law, Maryam Sanda Sentenced to Death by Hanging,’ Alhaji Bello Isa wrote:

‘There is nothing more painful than for someone to lose a son in the way I lost my son, Bilyaminu. However, what gives me some measure of comfort is that he left behind two beautiful children, my granddaughter, Sa’adatu Bilyaminu, and my grandson, Bilyaminu Bilyaminu, named after his father.

‘I have forgiven Maryam, who was found guilty of killing my son. Before the end of the trial, I made every effort to let both the Police and the Court know that I did not want her prosecuted, because I did not want a situation where my grandchildren, who had lost their father so tragically, would also lose their mother.’

In his words, ‘I have taken it as the will of Almighty Allah, what happened to my son, and I do not blame Maryam for it. However, now that she has been sentenced to death, I beg in the name of Almighty Allah for mercy. If she is killed, who will take care of her two children? They will grow up as orphans, without a father or a mother’s love.’

The grieving father emphasised that since the 2020 judgment, the children had only been able to see and bond with their mother during occasional visits to the Suleja Correctional Facility, a situation he described as ‘heartbreaking for innocent children.’

Responding to reports that some family members objected to his forgiveness and petition for clemency, Alhaji Bello Isa said he understood that people would hold different opinions on such a sensitive matter, but as both a father and a Muslim, he believes this was the best course of action for peace and humanity.

‘Vengeance cannot bring back my son,’ he said quietly. ‘But forgiveness can bring peace to my family, to her family, and to the children who must not suffer any longer.’

Also speaking, Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, expressed deep gratitude to Alhaji Bello and his entire family for their rare act of compassion, describing it as ‘a true reflection of faith and forgiveness.’

He said, ‘Words cannot describe our appreciation to the Bello family for this gesture of mercy and reconciliation. We continue to pray that something positive may yet emerge from this regrettable tragedy, that our families may heal, and that these children will grow up knowing love from both sides of their family.’

The two families stated that they have chosen forgiveness, compassion, and faith over pain and have committed to working together to raise the children in an atmosphere of peace and love.

Billionaire and Coscharis Group founder, Dr. Cosmas Maduka has condemned the trend of extravagant spending and flaunting of wealth at social events, criticising the phrase ‘money na water’ that justifies such actions.

In a viral video, he called this a ‘dead value system’ that promotes wastefulness and misguides youth.

Maduka stressed that true wealth, as shown by figures like Tony Elumelu and Femi Otedola, is marked by humility, not ostentatious displays.

‘Tell me any wealthy man that has talked about money na water. I’ve never heard Tony Elumelu say money na water. I’ve never heard Femi Otedola say money na water and I’ve never said money na water,’ Maduka said.

He said he exits events where such behavior occurs, decrying it as a harmful cultural shift.

‘When I come to a function and you start those madness, start throwing money up on people, I behave like I’m going to the toilet and you will not see me again because these are dead value system, bad culture that we have learned and it became invoked in this state,’ he added.

Urging Nigerians to reject this glorification of excess, Maduka warned it negatively influences the younger generation and called for such acts to be resented, not celebrated.

‘When we are growing up, rich people don’t make noise. All these people that make noise, they never see money. Tweet it to people and say that I said so,: he said.

‘If you make money, it makes you humble, it makes you keep quiet. We have embraced very deadly bad culture and we are using it to train our children. Money na water, those things should stop.

‘You shouldn’t clap hands for people like that, you should resent it,’he added.

Artisans and technicians on the platform of the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT) have expressed their readiness to hold the third edition of the Nigerian Artisans and Technicians’ Exhibitions and Fair (NATEF) in Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the national coordinator of ASNAT, Comrade Adeshina Akinyemi, who said the upcoming edition will broaden partnerships for artisan empowerment and technical innovation.

It would be recalled that the Second Edition of the Nigerian Artisans and Technicians’ Exhibitions and Fair was held at the Velodrome, National Stadium, Abuja, from September 23 to 27, 2025. The event brought together thousands of artisans, technicians, government officials, and industry stakeholders under the theme, ‘Empowering Nigerian Artisans and Technicians for National Economic Development.’

The event was organised to promote skill recognition and strengthen local content. The Fair provided a national platform for artisans to display creativity, innovation, and technical proficiency across diverse trades. It also fostered partnerships between artisans, vocational institutions, and key public and private sector stakeholders.

Akinyemi said, ‘The preparations are already underway for the Third Edition of NATEF, which is proposed to be hosted in Lagos State. The upcoming edition will further consolidate the gains achieved in Abuja and broaden partnerships for artisan empowerment and technical innovation.’

Speaking on the success of the second edition of NATEF held in Abuja last month, the National Coordinator of ASNAT expressed profound appreciation to all partners, sponsors, and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the fair and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian artisans and technicians.

Akinyemi stated that some of the key achievements of the event include the promotion of local content and indigenous innovations, strengthened collaboration between artisans, industry, and government, enhanced awareness of CNG technology and energy transition, and the creation of market linkages and capacity-building opportunities.

The statement also noted that ‘Industrial Training Fund (ITF) served as the major sponsor and strategic leader of the Fair, while the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) participated as a key technical partner, showcasing CNG conversion technologies that align with the federal government’s clean energy drive. Notably, over 100 vehicles were successfully converted to CNG compliance during the event.

‘Other major supporters included the Ondo State Government, the Adamawa State Government, and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), which provided financial and logistical assistance, reaffirming the commitment of sub-national actors to the development of the informal and technical sectors.

‘Speaking at the closing ceremony, representatives from partner agencies and artisan associations commended the Fair’s impact on skill promotion, entrepreneurship, and national unity. The event also featured award presentations to outstanding artisans and associations for exceptional innovation and excellence, especially the DG of ITF for his relentless efforts toward improving the lives of artisans in the country.’

Rapper and music executive M.I Abaga has shared his thoughts on where he might raise his future children, expressing a strong preference for Nigeria due to its rich communal values and family-oriented environment.

Speaking in a recent interview, Abaga praised Nigeria’s strong family and community support systems, describing them as ideal for nurturing children.

He contrasted this with the situation in the United States, where relatives are often occupied with demanding work schedules, leaving little time to offer hands-on support.

While acknowledging the appeal of life abroad, the rapper highlighted Nigeria’s nurturing environment as vital for a child’s early development.

He suggested a balanced approach, where children could grow up in Nigeria to establish cultural roots before moving abroad later in life for broader exposure.

Although he noted that he was not yet making concrete family plans, Abaga said he leaned toward Nigeria because of its unique advantages in fostering a supportive and culturally grounded upbringing.

M.I Abaga responded, ‘This is a good question. Yeah, actually a really good question. There are a lot of things appealing about home, especially because we’re already ingrained in that system, because there’s a lot of support as well. I feel it’s very difficult for parents here.

But you know, if you have family, that’s, you know, I mean, that every Okay, now you have enough people that can stay at home and support you. But it’s not easy, man. Yeah.

‘And our family over here, they’re all like professionals. You know, there are some times when you just find your nook in Nigeria. I think we sort of found a space in Nigeria, but definitely, you want your kids to have a mixture of both.

‘You know, so maybe it’s a thing like early years there and then at a certain point, you know, move, but look at me making family decisions. I think Nigeria. There are some good things about Nigeria that may be early days here’.

The Federal Government has finalised the implementation framework for the ?4 trillion Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Plan, marking a decisive step toward restoring financial stability and investor confidence in Nigeria’s electricity market.

The plan, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and endorsed by the Federal Executive Council in August 2025, authorises the issuance of government-backed bonds to settle verified arrears owed to generation companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers – the largest financial intervention in the power sector in more than a decade.

The development followed a high-level meeting held on October 7 in Abuja between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu; and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, alongside senior executives of Nigeria’s GenCos.

The session reviewed settlement modalities and reached a consensus on a framework for bilateral negotiations to finalise full and final payment agreements balancing fiscal realities with GenCos’ financial constraints.

A statement by the Head of the Media and Communications Unit of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Senan Murray, said the initiative aims to clear long-standing arrears that have crippled investment, weakened utility balance sheets, and limited reliable power delivery across the country.

‘For the first time in years, we are seeing a credible and systematic effort by government to tackle the root liquidity challenges in the power sector. We commend President Tinubu and his economic team for this bold and transformative step’, said Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Transcorp Power.

Echoing similar optimism, Mr. Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director of Sahara Group, described the move as ‘significant in every respect,’ adding that it ‘gives renewed confidence in the reform process and signals that government is serious about building a sustainable power sector.’

According to Mrs. Verheijen, the Tinubu administration’s focus is on ‘creating the right conditions for investment, from modernising the grid and improving distribution to scaling embedded generation.

‘By closing metering gaps, aligning tariffs with efficient costs, improving subsidy targeting to support the poor and vulnerable, and restoring regulatory trust, we are shifting from crisis response to sustained delivery. This is how we build the confidence needed to attract large-scale private capital’, she said.

Finance Minister Edun described the initiative as a fundamental reform beyond mere liquidity intervention.

‘These reforms go beyond liquidity. They are about rebuilding the fundamentals so that Nigeria’s power sector works for investors, for citizens, and for the next generation. This is how we create the enabling conditions for sustained private investment and transform reliable power into a catalyst for economic growth’, he said.

The debt reduction plan complements ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy deployment, leverage domestic gas as a transition fuel, and strengthen local technical capacity – a combination the government believes will position Nigeria as one of Africa’s most attractive power markets.

Implemented jointly by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc, the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Plan is expected to unlock investment, modernise the grid, and drive inclusive economic growth across the country.

Stakeholders under the aegis of the Future Nigeria Movement (FNM) have criticized the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for its continued reliance on strike actions as the primary means of engaging the Federal Government.

In a statement signed by its National Leader, Livingstone Wechie, and released in Port Harcourt, the group described ASUU’s approach as unpatriotic and detrimental to national development, urging the union to embrace dialogue instead of resorting to industrial action.

‘The recent declaration of a two-week warning strike will further drown the educational fortunes of what is left of Nigeria,’ FNM stated.

The group expressed concern that the strike came at a time when ASUU itself had acknowledged a severe intellectual crisis in public universities, citing the exit of 309 professors across the country as ‘an intellectual haemorrhage’ threatening the sector’s survival.

FNM urged the federal government to treat ASUU’s demands as a national priority but insisted that both parties must explore alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms to prevent further disruption of academic activities.

Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc, has reinforced its leadership in African luxury hospitality with triple win at the globally renowned Seven Star Luxury Awards.

At the grand celebration of luxury recently in Tróia, Portugal, over the weekend, Transcorp Hotels earned three distinguished awards.

The awards include: Best Luxury Business Hotel (Nigeria and Africa); Best Luxury Event and Conference Centre (Nigeria and Africa) The Transcorp Centre and l Best CEO of the Year – Uzoamaka Oshogwe, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, for transformative leadership and visionary growth strategy

The Awards, which set the standard for excellence in the industry, are consistent with Transcorp Hotels Plc’s capacity to deliver premium, end-to-end hospitality experiences for business, diplomatic, and lifestyle clientele across the continent.

MD/CEO of Trans corps Hotels Plc Uzoamaka Oshogwe,, said: ‘These awards are more than symbols of success; they represent a shared commitment to redefining African hospitality. At Transcorp Hotels, we continue to push boundaries, invest in innovation, and position Nigeria as a global destination for world-class business and leisure experiences.’

The awards celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in the global luxury and lifestyle industries, honouring brands that exemplify excellence, innovation and sustained impact.